Ahly and Egypt striker Emad Meteb (Photo:Al-Ahram)
Ahly are returning to Cairo on Monday after they beat Tunisia’s Club Africain last night to qualify for the African Confederation Cup group stage.
During the victory three key players were injured: striker Emad Meteb, midfielder Ramadan Sobhy and goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy.
Ekramy's injury was initially diagnosed as bruised knee ligaments after he left the pitch in the 54th minute, leaving the net guarded by substitute Ahmed Adel Abdel-Moneim. Ekramy is expected to undergo medical scans and examinations in Egypt after he was quickly tested in Tunisia.
Skipper Meteb, who scored Ahly's only goal, lasted only half an hour.
The 32-year-old was already suffering fatigued thighs before the match, and will be examined for further possible injury.
"I was already tired before the game but I had to play because of our shortage of players due to injuries and suspension," the 31-year-old striker told the club's official website.
Meteb replaced Nigerian Peter Ebe in the 46th minute, but coach Fathi Mabrouk was soon forced to use his last replacement card to switch the injured Meteb for youngster Mohamed Hani.
Ironically, Hani was sent off just one minute after he entered the pitch.
"I am happy I had the opportunity to boost my team during this important game despite the short time I played," Meteb added, referring to his goal in the second half.
With the second leg tied 1-1 eight minutes into injury time, title holders Ahly conceded a goal to the Tunisian side in the eighth minute of stoppage, losing at full time to CA 1-2 to make the aggregate score 3-3.
However, the Red Devils still managed to reach the group stage after prevailing in a penalty shootout 5-4.
Ramadan Sobhy sustained a thigh injury during the game and he will skip Monday’s national duty when the Pharaohs meet Malawi in a friendly, amid preparations for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Ahly will be competing in the African Confederation Cup's Group A with Stade Malien of Mali and Tunisian duo Esperance and Etoile Sahel; while their arch-rivals Zamalek will play in Group B with Tunisia's Sfaxien, South Africa's Orlando Pirates and AC Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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